Clip



Jan. 9, 194 H. J. UHLMANN CLIP Filed March 14, 1938 Patented Jan. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLIP Hubert J. Uhlmann, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Application March 14, 1938, Serial No. 195,795 2 Claims. 01. 24-84) This invention relates generally to clips for use in suspending paper or the like and is particularly adapted for use in photographic work for suspending negatives therefrom.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a clip which may be manufactured economically by being stamped from a single length of spring sheet metal;

Anotherobject of my invention is to provide a clip having two opposed portions the open ends of which are separated when the clip is not in use.

A still further object is to provide means on said clip which will releasably lock the open end portions in a closed position when said end portions are pressed toward each other.

Still another object is to provide means extend ing from one of said portions which will prevent the insertion of material between the jaws of the clip beyond a predetermined point.

Other objects of my invention'will appear as the description proceeds. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends said invention, then, consists of means hereafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and following description set forth in detail certain structure embodying my invention, said structure constituting however but one of the various ways in which the principle of my invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a strip of spring sheet metal as used in the manufacture of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the completed clip; showing the jaws thereof in an open normal position.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the clip.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view showing more clearly the hook portion at the top and the members near the bottom thereof which act as stop means for the material inserted between the jaws.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view taken substantially through the center of the clip showing certain portions thereof in elevation, and showing the clip in its normal open position.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing said clip in a closed position and also showing the operation of the releasable locking means.

My invention differs substantially from similar clips of the prior art in that such clips which have been on the market heretofore are usually of the type the jaws of which remain closed in their normal position and require a pressure on both sides in order to open said jaws. Also the devices of the prior art are generaily made of at least two separate portions which may be hinged together substantially at their central points.

It will be noted that my invention also differs from those of the prior art in several other respects. The one important feature of my device is that it is made from a single length of spring sheet metal. Another distinction is that the jaw portions remain open in a normal position rather than closed. A still further and more important distinction is that I provide means which will releasably lock the jaws in a closed position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing and more especially to Fig. 1 the numeral I indicates the length or body portion of spring sheet metal before stamping. One end of this body portion is provided with a plurality of teeth or piercing points 2. Spaced a short distance from these piercing points is a comparatively small member 3 which is formed integral with the end portion by providing the openings 4 on either side thereof.

Spaced equally from either side of the body portion is the member 5 which is stamped out and subsequently folded upon itself to form a hook portion for suspending the clip.

Near the opposite end of the body portion is provided a plurality of openings 8 which preferably have their circumference flared outwardly to minimize actual contact of the film against this portion of the clip.

The parallel dotted lines of Fig. 1 indicate the lines along which that end is bent to form a protecting shield behind the openings 6 in order that the piercing points 2, upon entering the openings 6, will not prick the fingers of the operator.

Alsoin the body portion is stamped out a tongue 8 which has an opening 9 therein which is adapted to receive the member 3. Adjacent the closed end of the tongue 8 and on either side thereof are stamped-out portions l0 which subsequently serve as stop means for the film.

The body portion as shown in Fig. 1 having the respective portions 3, 5, 8 and I0 stamped out, is then folded upon itself at substantially its mid point in order to form the clip as shown in Fig. 2. The hook member 5 will be bent back upon itself so as to form upper and lower portions 5a and 5b respectively. The portion between the piercing points 2 and the upstruck member 3 will be curved as shown at H so that the piercing points will extend toward the openings 6 and will be opposed thereto. The body portion of the clip after it haswbeen stamped and folded will then comprise a bottom or rear portion 12 and an upper or front portion having an opening l3 therein. thereby providing two side portions i l and I5.

The opening 13 is formed due to the stamping out of the portion 5 which is eventually bent upon itself to form the-hook member. The resulting opening in the upper portion of the clip will allow the tongue member 8 to be bent therethrough and be in contact with the upstruck portion 3 so that when the open: end portions are pressed together the tongue 8 will allow the memoer 3 to enter the opening 9 therein and the tongue 8 will thenspringdownwardly thus locking. the open end portions in closed-position.

Inthe hook member 5 is provided opposing openings Hiso'that ifdesiredthese openings may accommodate a rod of-the type usually used on film hangers for'tankdevelopment; I

The operation ofithe clip will be more clearly seen by viewing Figs. 5 and 6; Fig. 5 showing the clip in an open position. It will be noted that the stamped-out elements it extend from the .rear portion of theclip inwardly so that afilm or other material ll may be inserted between the jaws only asliort distance so that the operator may be assured that thepiercing points 2 will not pierce the actual print. After the film ll has been inserted between the-frontand rear por tions of the clip and has reached the stop memhers lilthe: folded portion at ll" may then be pressed toward the rear portion a sufficient distance so that thepiercing points 2 will pierce the film and hold the same securely therein at-substantially the same time that the lip-struck portion3= enters the opening 9 of the tongue Sand allows said tongue to return to its normal position asin Fig. 6 in order to lockthejawsin their closed position.

As. above stated, and as it is desired totbe emphasized here, the openings 5 are flared outwardly as may beinore easily, seen in Figs. 5. and 6, so that the film will havethe-least possilolecom tact with themetal portion oftheclip.

When it is desired to release the film and open the jaws of the clip the operator need merely raise upwardly the forward portion of the tongue 8 to bring same out of contact with the upstruck portion 3 and allow the front portion of the clip to spring outwardly to its normal position as shown in Fig. 5. 4

It will be seen that by providing an opening in the hook portion at the top the clip is adapted to be suspended either over.a.-wire or upon the above mentioned rod.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that I have constructed a device which is not only easy but economical to manufacture since it employs the useof only a single piece of material,.. andthe manner in which the various portions and members are stamped out of the original body, portion. in order to provide locking means for the jaws in their closed position will attain a most satisfactory result.

Other mo'desof applyingthe principle of my invention may; be employed instead of the, one here explained, change being; made as regards the structure herein disclosed, providedhowever,

that the meansstated by; any of the following claims or the equivalentofsuch statedme'ans be employed.

I therefore particularly point out-andv distinctly claim as my invention: r I

l. A clip comprisingaU-s'haped strip 01 spring sheet metal forming two substantially parallel portions, a tongue extending from one of said portions having anopening therein .andla member extending from the other of said portions adapted to fit into the opening of said tongue,

other.

2; A clip comprising opposing portionsadapted to normally remain :apart, means to releasably lock said portions in closed .relation includingv a tongue extending from one of said portions'h'aving an opening therein, anopening, in the other of said portions having amember extending from one edge thereof, saidmember adapted to. enter said opening in the tongue when .said portions are pressed together and stay in that position until a flexing of said tongue releases same. l

HUBERT- J; UHLMANN;

whereby the ends ofsaid portions will be locked upon merely. pressing said portions toward each 

